Hand cleaner system

ABSTRACT

A hand cleaner system for cleaning at least a portion of a human fingernail comprises a nail cleaner tip and a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip. The nail cleaner tip includes a tip surface configured to engage a portion of a human fingernail, and the reservoir contains an antimicrobial solution that in operation may flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip. The system may also include a towelette containing an antimicrobial solution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of clinical hand cleansing.Specifically, aspects of the invention relate to a hand cleaning systemcomprising a nail cleaner and a dose of antimicrobial solution forsurgical scrub antisepsis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bacteria on the hands of surgeons can cause wound infections ifintroduced into the operative field during surgery because rapidmultiplication of bacteria may occur under surgical gloves if hands arewashed with a non-antimicrobial soap. Bacterial growth is slowed,however, after preoperative scrubbing with an antiseptic agent. Reducingresident skin flora on the hands of the surgical team for the durationof the procedure reduces the risk of bacteria being released into thesurgical field should gloves become punctured or torn during surgery. Arecent guideline issued from the Center for Disease Control on handhygiene in healthcare settings recommends the use of brushless,alcohol-based hand rubs for surgical hand antisepsis. Alcohol hand rubs,when combined with preservatives or other antimicrobial agents, havebeen shown to have excellent antimicrobial efficacy for use as asurgical and healthcare hand antisepsis. Although recommendationssuggest that hand washing without a brush is acceptable, a nail cleaneris still required to clean under the fingernails prior to performing thesurgical scrub procedure.

These rinseless/brushless, alcohol-based solutions are typicallydispensed from a bulk container by the application of pressure to a footpump. In certain circumstances, the dispenser's performance may varywith each dispenser system and may give inconsistent dosage, leaving thehealthcare worker to ensure they dispense the proper amount for a givensurgical scrub.

Traditionally, nail cleaners have been supplied inside anantimicrobial-impregnated surgical scrub brush and have, therefore,always been available for performing a surgical scrub procedure. Whilenail cleaners are still required for a surgical scrub, the scrub brush,which contained the nail cleaner, is not. Consequently, nail cleanershave been made available in bulk packed containers to be placed near thescrub sinks. Such containers typically contain 50 to 500 nail cleanersand are used over the course of days or months. Without properprocedures in place, these bulk packed nail cleaners may be subject tocross contamination. An additional problem with the bulk packed nailcleaners is that they are an additional item to inventory, stock andensure availability for the healthcare worker at each scrub sink.

A need exists for a novel integrated hand cleaner system containing apre-dosed, alcohol-based antimicrobial solution to improve thecompliance of the healthcare worker with the current recommendation forsurgical hand antisepsis. Additionally, this novel hand cleaner may alsocontain a towelette to aid in the removal of contaminants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is directed to a hand cleaner systemfor use in cleaning at least a portion of a human fingernail. The handcleaner system comprises a nail cleaner tip including a tip surfaceconfigured to engage a portion of a human fingernail and a reservoirconnected to the nail cleaner tip. The reservoir contains anantimicrobial solution that in operation may flow from the reservoir tothe nail cleaner tip. In one embodiment, the reservoir comprises a tube.In an alternate embodiment, the reservoir comprises a laminated film.

The reservoir may be sized and dimensioned to contain an amount ofsolution sufficient to clean under all of the fingernails, as well asthe hand of a user, during a surgical scrub procedure. In oneembodiment, the reservoir comprises a rupturable membrane. In anotherembodiment, the reservoir comprises a puncturable tube container.

The nail cleaner tip may include an end portion having a spatulate shapeand convex curve when viewed from the side. The nail cleaner tip mayalso include a central channel that permits solution to flow from thereservoir to the nail cleaner tip during use. In one embodiment, thenail cleaner tip is disengageable from the reservoir. In anotherembodiment, the nail cleaner tip may include a puncture memberconfigured to puncture the reservoir.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a hand cleanersystem including a nail cleaner tip connected to a reservoir containinga towelette. The towelette may contain an antimicrobial solution for usewith the nail cleaner tip to clean a portion of a human fingernail. Inone embodiment, the reservoir comprises a laminated film. In anotherembodiment, the towelette contains an amount of solution sufficient toclean the hands of a user during a surgical scrub procedure. The nailcleaner tip may be removably attached to the laminated film.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method ofcleaning hands. An apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising anail cleaner tip including a tip surface configured to engage a portionof a human fingernail, a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip,and a selected amount of an antimicrobial solution disposed within thereservoir that, in operation, may flow from the reservoir to the nailcleaner tip. The nail cleaner tip is passed between a clinician's nailsand skin to clean under the nails of the clinician. The reservoir isthen opened, and the antimicrobial solution is applied to theclinician's hands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hand cleanersystem constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken alongline 2-2 showing the system in an inactivated condition;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken alongline 2-2 showing the system in an activated condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hand cleanersystem constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 taken alongline 5-5 showing the system in an inactivated condition;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 taken alongline 5-5 showing the system in an activated condition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hand cleanersystem constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken alongline 8-8 showing the system in an inactivated condition;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken alongline 8-8 showing the system in an activated condition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hand cleanersystem constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 showing thesystem in an activated condition;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hand cleanersystem constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 takenalong line 13-13 showing the system in an inactivated condition;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 takenalong line 13-13 showing the system in an activated condition;

FIGS. 15-16 are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of ahand cleaner system constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hand cleanersystem constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 takenalong line 18-18 showing the system in an inactivated condition; and

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 takenalong line 18-18 showing the system in an activated condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein relates generally to a convenientintegrated hand cleaner system containing an antimicrobial solution forsurgical scrub antisepsis. The system is designed to provide a structurespecifically adapted for cleaning under the nails of a clinician, whilealso providing a selected unit dose of antimicrobial solution forcleaning the hands of the clinician. Referring to the drawings in whichlike reference characters refer to like parts throughout the severalviews thereof, FIG. 1 depicts one preferred embodiment of a hand cleanersystem 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Handcleaner system 10 generally comprises a reservoir 12 connected to a nailcleaner tip 14. Reservoir 12 contains an antimicrobial solution that inoperation may flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip 14.Generally, the reservoir 12 can have various shapes and dimensions andcan be incorporated into any type of package. In a preferred embodiment,reservoir 12 is defined by a tube or laminated film reservoir. In apreferred embodiment, reservoir 12 is sized and dimensioned to containan amount of solution sufficient for a single dose. In a preferredembodiment, reservoir 12 may contain from about 0.5 mL to about 10 mL ofsolution. In this regard, reservoir 12 preferably contains enoughsolution to clean at least a portion of all of the fingernails and thehands and/or forearms of a user during a surgical scrub procedure. Thehand cleaner 10 can also have various activation methods, such as apackage with a rupturable membrane, a puncturable tube type container, atwist-off tip, etc. It will be appreciated that other accessiblereservoirs may be employed, such as, for example, a formed foil package.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, hand cleaner system 10 may have anintegrally molded or separately molded nail cleaner tip 14 that may bemounted in fluid communication with reservoir 12 so that, in operation,the solution may flow to the nail cleaner tip 14. In general, tip 14comprises an elongate member 15 extending from a hub 17 with a distalend portion 18 having a spatulate shape. In a preferred embodiment, thedistal end portion 18 is in the form of a convex curve when viewed fromthe side (FIGS. 2-3). Tip 14 may also include a central channel 19 toallow solution to flow from the reservoir 12 to the distal end portion18 of tip 14 in operation.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, various alternative nail cleaner tip designs forhand cleaner systems in accordance with the present invention areillustrated. As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5, the nail cleanertip may be molded separately from the reservoir and in operation can bemountably removable from the reservoir or package containing thereservoir. In this regard, hand cleaner system 10 of FIGS. 1-3 has apuncturable tube 13 defining reservoir 12 and nail cleaner tip 14 isseparable from tube 13 and is configured to puncture tube 13 in use. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a removable cap 22 may be provided to cover tip14 prior to use or during storage. Tip 14 includes a puncture portion 28configured to puncture the distal end of tube 13 when tip 14 is mountedon the distal end of tube 13. Tip 14 also includes a central channel 19that permits solution to flow from the reservoir 12 to the distal endportion 18 of tip 14 during use, as shown in FIG. 3. In operation, thesolution may flow from reservoir 12 to the distal end portion 18 of tip14 by applying external pressure to tube 13, such as, for example, bysqueezing tube 13 by hand.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, an alternate hand cleaner system 40 is shownhaving a tube 42 and an alternate tip 44 having a central channel 46.Tube 42 defines a solution reservoir 41 and has a rupturable membrane43. In this embodiment, tip 44 may be molded separately from thereservoir and in operation can be mountably removable from the reservoiror package containing the reservoir. As shown in FIGS. 4-5, a removablecap 48 may be provided to cover tip 44 prior to use or during storage.The rupturable membrane 43 may be broken or ruptured by applyingexternal pressure to tube 42 such as by squeezing by hand to therebyforce the liquid solution to break or rupture membrane 43. The proximalportion of tip 44 is hollow or open to permit fluid flow to channel 46once membrane 43 is ruptured and allows solution flow to the distal endof tip 44 during use, as shown in FIG. 6. In operation, the solution mayflow from reservoir 41 to the distal end of tip 44 by applying externalpressure to tube 42, such as, for example, by squeezing tube 42 by hand.

An alternative embodiment of a hand cleaning system 50, shown in FIGS.7-9, includes a similarly rupturable tube 52 that is an integrallymolded unitary component with a nail cleaner tip 54 molded into thedistal end of tube 52. Tube 52 defines a solution reservoir 51. As shownin FIGS. 7-8, a removable cap 58 may be provided to cover tip 54 priorto use or during storage. Tip 54 includes a channel 56 that permitssolution to flow from the tube 52 to the distal end of tip 54 duringuse. Tube 52 includes a rupturable membrane 53 that may be broken orruptured by applying external pressure to tube 52 such as by squeezingby hand. The proximal portion of tip 54 is hollow or open to permitfluid flow to channel 56 once membrane 53 is ruptured and allowssolution flow to the distal end of tip 54 during use, as shown in FIG.9.

In another alternate embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10-11, an exemplary handcleaner system 60 may include a nail cleaner tip 64 attached to apackage 62 containing a pouch holding a towelette 66 with a solutiondisposed on the towelette. In general, the towelette may be made fromany material suitable for absorbing liquid. In one preferred embodiment,the towelette is made from a non-woven material, such as, for example, apolypropylene paper-based material. Alternatively, a pad made of anon-woven material, such as a foam or sponge, may be used. In apreferred embodiment, package 62 is a laminated foil package andincludes a perforation line 68 to facilitate opening of the package. Inalternate embodiments, package 62 may be made from any suitable tearablematerial. Package 62 may also have a notch 69 adjacent nail cleaner tip64 and perforation line 68 to further assist in opening package 62. Ingeneral, the nail cleaner tip 64 may aid in opening the laminated foilpackage, which may be difficult to perform in a preoperative scrubenvironment, such as with wet hands. In particular, the positioning andrigidity of the nail cleaner tip 64 will aid the opening of the package62 by making it easier to grip and tear the laminated film pouch. Inoperation, package 62 may be torn along perforation line 68 to gainaccess to towelette 66, and towelette may be removed to be used to applythe solution contained on the towelette to a user's nails, hands,forearms, or other area to be cleaned. In this regard, nail cleaner tip64 and the portion of package 62 adjacent thereto may be used as aseparate tool to clean the user's nails.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, an alternate twist-offhand cleaner system 80is shown. The nail cleaner tip 84 of this embodiment may be incorporatedinto a twist-off area of a package 82, such that when nail cleaner tip84 is to be used, the nail cleaner tip 84 twists completely from theremaining package 82 and the package seal is broken to allow access tothe contents of the package. A removable cap 88 may be provided to covertip 84 prior to use or during storage. Nail cleaner tip 84 may bepositioned adjacent any seal area of package 82 with sufficientstiffness. In this regard, the nail cleaner tip 84 may be formed intothe shape of a nail cleaner tip when the unit is sealed therebyrequiring only one material for the package and nail cleaner tip. In oneembodiment, package 82 may contain a solution. In an alternateembodiment, package 82 may contain a towelette with a solution disposedon the towelette. In operation, cleaner tip 84 may be separated frompackage 82 by, for example, twisting tip 84 to gain access to thecontents of the package, e.g. a liquid solution or solution containingtowelette, and the solution may be applied to a user's nails, hands,forearms, or other area to be cleaned. In this regard, nail cleaner tip84 may be used as a separate tool to clean the user's nails.

Referring to FIGS. 15-16, alternate hand cleaner systems 90, 100 areshown with separately molded nail cleaner tips 94, 104 incorporated intopackages 92, 102. Hand cleaner system 90 includes a nail cleaner tip 94sandwiched between the laminated foil layers of package 92, and handcleaner system 100 includes a nail cleaner tip 104 externally attachedto package 102. In either configuration, the molded nail cleaner tips94, 104 may make it easier to tear open the package and access thecontents of the package. Removable caps 98, 108 may be provided to covertips 94, 104 prior to use or during storage. These configurations canalso be incorporated into nail cleaning systems containing towelettes.

An alternative embodiment of a hand cleaning system 110, shown in FIGS.17-19, includes a rupturable dimple pack 112 with a nail cleaner tip 114molded into the distal end of pack 112. Dimple pack 112 defines asolution reservoir 111 that generally bulges outward from a centralportion of pack 112. As shown in FIGS. 17-18, a removable cap 118 may beprovided to cover tip 114 prior to use or during storage. Tip 114includes a channel 116 that permits solution to flow from the pack 112to the distal end of tip 114 during use. The proximal portion of tip 114is hollow or open to permit fluid flow to channel 116 and allowssolution flow to the distal end of tip 114 during use, as shown in FIG.19. In operation, the solution may flow from reservoir 111 to the distalend of tip 114 by applying external pressure to reservoir 111, such as,for example, by squeezing pack 112 by hand.

The apparatus is to contain an alcohol-based antimicrobial solution(60-95%), which may contain one or more additional antimicrobial agentssuch as CHG, PCMX, triclosan, octenidine, hexachlorophene, PVP-I,iodine, quaternary compounds and the like in the range of 0.05% to 5%w/w. The alcohol can be, for example, ethyl, isopropal, n-propanol or amixture of alcohols. The solution may also contain one or moreadditional components such as dimethicone, glycerin, cationic polymersuch as PVP, cellulose, docosanol, BTMS, behenyl alcohol, poloxamer andthe like.

The solution can be a “rinseless” or a “rinse” type of solution. Onepreferred solution is a rinseless antimicrobial solution containing 70%alcohol, 2% CHG, 5% moisturizers and 23% USP water. Other ingredientsmay be added as mentioned above. Additional moisturizer ingredients maybe added to enhance texture and feel of the solution.

To use the apparatus, the clinician is provided the hand cleaning systemapparatus including a nail cleaner tip having a tip surface configuredto engage a portion of a human fingernail. A reservoir is connected tothe nail cleaner tip. A selected amount of an antimicrobial solution isdisposed within the reservoir. The clinician passes the nail cleaner tipbetween his or her nails and skin, thereby removing debris disposedtherein. The clinician then opens the reservoir, either by displacingthe nail cleaner tip from the reservoir, compressing the reservoir torupture a membrane or tearing open the foil package that forms thereservoir. Once the reservoir is open, the antimicrobial solution isapplied to the clinician's hands and rubbed thoroughly over the skin ofthe clinician's hands. It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the solution may be used to clean all areas of the clinician'shand and forearms, and is not limited for use on the clinician'sfingernails. Depending on the solution selected, there may be no need torinse off the solution. It will be appreciated that, depending on theapparatus employed, the antimicrobial solution may be delivered to theclinician's hands through a channel in the nail cleaner tip. Further, atowelette may be provided in the reservoir, in which case the clinicianwould apply the antimicrobial solution to the hands by wiping theclinician's hands with the towelette impregnated with the antimicrobialsolution.

While this invention is satisfied by embodiments in many differentforms, as described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention,with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be consideredas exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended tolimit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.Numerous variations may be made by persons skilled in the art withoutdeparture from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the inventionwill be measured by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A hand cleaner system, comprising: a nail cleaner tip including a tipsurface configured to engage a portion of a human fingernail; andreservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip, wherein a selected amountof an antimicrobial solution is disposed within the reservoir that, inoperation, may flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip.
 2. Thehand cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises aflexible tube.
 3. The hand cleaner system of claim 2, wherein the tubecomprises a puncturable membrane.
 4. The hand cleaner system of claim 1,wherein the reservoir comprises a laminated film.
 5. The hand cleanersystem of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is sized and dimensioned tocontain an amount of solution sufficient to clean the hands and under atleast a portion of the fingernails of a user during a surgical scrubprocedure.
 6. The hand cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the reservoircomprises a rupturable membrane.
 7. The hand cleaner system of claim 1,wherein the nail cleaner tip includes an end portion having a spatulateshape and convex curve when viewed from the side.
 8. The hand cleanersystem of claim 1, wherein the nail cleaner tip includes a centralchannel that permits solution to flow from the reservoir to the nailcleaner tip during use.
 9. The hand cleaner system of claim 1, whereinthe nail cleaner tip is disengageable from the reservoir.
 10. The handcleaner system of claim 9, wherein the nail cleaner tip is threadablydisengageable from the reservoir.
 11. The hand cleaner system of claim9, wherein the nail cleaner tip includes a puncture member configured topuncture the reservoir.
 12. A hand cleaner system, comprising: a nailcleaner tip including a tip surface configured to engage a portion of ahuman fingernail; and a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip, thereservoir containing a towelette, the towelette containing anantimicrobial solution for use with the nail cleaner tip to clean atleast a portion of a human fingernail.
 13. The hand cleaner system ofclaim 12, wherein the reservoir comprises a laminated film.
 14. The handcleaner system of claim 12, wherein the towelette contains an amount ofsolution sufficient to clean under at least a portion of the fingernailsof a user.
 15. The hand cleaner system of claim 13, wherein the nailcleaner tip is removably attached to the laminated film.
 16. A method ofcleaning hands comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a nailcleaner tip including a tip surface configured to engage a portion of ahuman fingernail; a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip; and aselected amount of an antimicrobial solution disposed within thereservoir that, in operation, may flow from the reservoir to the nailcleaner tip; cleaning under the nails of a clinician by passing the nailcleaner tip between the clinician's nails and skin; opening thereservoir; and applying the antimicrobial solution to the clinician'shands.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising delivering theantimicrobial solution through a channel in the nail cleaner tip. 18.The method of claim 16, wherein opening the reservoir comprises removingthe nail cleaner tip.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein opening thereservoir comprises unthreading the nail cleaner tip from the reservoir.20. The method of claim 16, wherein opening the reservoir comprisesdisplacing the nail cleaner tip such that it pierces the reservoir. 21.The method of claim 16, wherein opening the reservoir comprisescompressing the reservoir such that a membrane of the reservoirruptures.
 22. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing atowelette, wherein applying the antimicrobial solution to theclinician's hands comprises wiping the clinician's hands with atowelette including the antimicrobial solution.
 23. A hand cleanersystem for clinicians comprising: a flexible reservoir containing aselected amount of an antimicrobial solution for cleaning a clinician'shands prior to performance of a medical procedure; and a nail cleanertip including a tip surface configured to selectively engage a portionof a human fingernail, wherein the flexible reservoir is attached to thereservoir, and wherein the reservoir is adapted to release theantimicrobial solution under the control of the clinician.
 24. The handcleaner system of claim 23, wherein the reservoir is adapted to bedirectly compressed by the clinician.
 25. The hand cleaner system ofclaim 23, wherein the nail cleaner tip is permanently attached to thereservoir.
 26. The hand cleaner system of claim 23, wherein the nailcleaner tip is removably attached to the reservoir, permitting removalof the nail cleaner tip before or during release of the antimicrobialsolution.
 27. The hand cleaner system of claim 23, wherein the nailcleaner tip is displaceably mounted to the reservoir such thatdisplacement of the nail cleaner tip provides access to theantimicrobial solution in the reservoir.
 28. The hand cleaner system ofclaim 23, wherein the nail cleaner tip is integrally formed with thereservoir.
 29. The hand cleaner system of claim 23, further comprising atowelette disposed in the reservoir.
 30. The hand cleaner system ofclaim 23, wherein the reservoir is a foil package and the nail cleanertip is attached to the package such that removal of the nail cleaner tipopens the reservoir.